Surgical appliance



Dec. 31, 1935. N, v. SMITH 1 2,026,104

SURGICAL APPLIANCE Filed April 16, 1952 WITNESS INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 31, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to a surgical appliance and more particularly to a dressing for use following upon a colostomy operation, or the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a surgical appliance of this character, which is highly sanitary and which can be worn with a maximum of ease and comfort and which is very economical in use; and especially useful to give comfort and ease at night, or whenever the wearer is seeking rest, particularly in bed.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from a study of the description, the accompanying drawing, and the appended claims.

In the drawing,-

Fig. 1 illustrates in perspective a device constructed according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 indicates a horizontal sectional view of the device;

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the construction of the absorptive means; and

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing a portion of the device.

Referring to the drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is shape, with a circular, centrally arranged opening at one side of the pocket.

The pocket is adapted to receive an absorbent means C preferably comprising a mass of highly absorptive cellulose fabric material E, or like material having good absorptive properties. The mass is formed in the shape of an annulus and a strip of gauze is preferably Wound around the same to hold the mass in shape and to form a soft, yielding, absorbend pad. A waterproof member, such as a sheet rubber disk D is provided, of the proper size to fit within the pocket against the back wall thereof.

A body encircling belt F fdrmed of suitable elastic material and attached to the fabric back A by stitching G serves to hold the device in proper position upon the body. A clasp or fastening means is provided for attaching the free end of the belt to the back A.

In using the device, for example after a colostomy operation, the waterproof disk D is first positioned in the pocket and the absorbent pad then inserted so that the opening in the pad substantially corresponds with that in the pocket. When assembled, the inner wall of the pocket will be distended as indicated in Fig. 2. The absorbent ring E is made sufficiently large to provide a pocket which will readily receive the ends of the intestine which protrude through the incision afer a colostomy operation. The depth of pocket necessary will vary depending upon the results following the operation. It may be necessary to provide a depth of an inch and a half, or perhaps even more. The device is then fastened in place with the distended wall of the pocket pressing against the body around the incision, thereby acting as a seal. Discharged fluid is readily absorbed by the pad which can be quickly and easily disposed of when used, a fresh pad being substituted.

The entire assembly is made of relatively soft and yielding materials and is so arranged that no pressure occurs directly over the incision; consequently it can be worn with a high degree of comfort. Protection is afforded against passage of liquid through the supporting means and the entire device can be easily washed when desired.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and thatchanges may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A surgical appliance of the character described adapted to be used in conjunction with a formed opening in the human body to receive a discharge therefrom such as a colostomy opening, comprising a mass of soft absorbent material having a predetermined configuration such that it surrounds the opening in the body but does not directly come in contact therewith, and supporting means including a body supporting belt having a fiat distendable fabric pocket on its face for discharge therefrom such as a colostomy opening r comprising a pocket formed of two layers of yieldable material attached to each other, the innermost layer having a cut-out portion, means for holding said pocket in position on the body so that it surrounds the formed opening in the body but does not directly contact the same, and a removable mass of soft absorbent material positioned in said pocket and having a configuration such that it surrounds the opening in the body without directly contacting the same.

3. A device of the character described for use in conjunction with a formed opening in the body, comprising a. supporting belt of soft yieldable material, an annular shaped piece of material fastened around its outer periphery tothe inner face of said belt, forming therewith a fiat distendable pocket with a substantially centrally located aperture, said belt adapted to support said pocket in predetermined position on the body such that the inner wall of the pocket surrounds said formed opening with said aperture substantially in alignment therewith, and absorbent means removably positioned in said pocket and disposed around said aperture to provide for receiving a discharge from said opening while remaining out of direct contact therewith, said means also serving to space the outer face of said pocket from said opening.

4. Acolostomydevice of the character described comprising a fabric body encircling belt, a pocket formed entirely of soft yielding material and supported in position on a flat surface of the body by said belt, and absorbent means in said pocket adapted to be readily removed and disposed of when used.

5. A colostomy device of the character described comprising a fabric body encircling belt, a pocket supported in position on a flat surface of the body by said belt, said pocket having an aperture adapted to overlie the colostomy opening, absorbent means in said pocket held thereby out of contact but in juxtaposition to said opening, and means for preventing passage of liquid through said pocket, said entire device being soft and yielding and readily cleanable.

6. A device of the character described for use in conjunction with a formed opening in the body comprising a. flat distendable pocket formed of soft yieldable material, means for holding said packet against the body around said formed opening, and a substantially annular shaped absorbent pad removably positioned in said pocket and adapted to prevent contact of said pocket with said formed opening '7. A device for receiving a discharge from a formed opening in the body comprising a fabric back member, an overlying fabric portion fastened around its periphery to said back member forming a pocket therewith, said overlying fabric portion having a central opening, an absorbent pad removably positioned in said pocket in said overlying fabric portion and displaced from said central opening, and means for holding said pocket in predetermined position on the body with respect to said opening, the entire device being of soft yieldable and readily cleanable material.

8. A device of the character described comprising a body encircling band, a permanently provided flat distendable pocket positioned on the inner side thereof, said pocket having a centrally located aperture, adapted to overlie a formed opening in the body, and annular shaped absorbent means positioned in the pocket adapted to distend the pocket adjacent its entire periphery into close contact with the body leaving the central aperture part free of contact with said formed opening.

9. A device of the character described adapted to be used to receive a discharge from the body comprising a soft washable pocket formed of layers of yieldable fabric material, the pocket being provided with an opening, means for holding said pocket in discharge receiving relation with respect to the body with the opening in the pocket overlying the zone of the body from which discharge issues, a mass of soft absorbent material adapted to absorb the discharge and removably positioned in said pocket in a predetermined manner such that in operative position it contacts the body beyond the zone from which the discharge issues without directly contacting said zone, said absorbent mass being readily removable from said pocket and replaceable when soiled, and means preventing the escape of said discharge material through said pocket.

NANCY V. SMITH.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,026,104. December 31, 1955 NANCY V. SMITH.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, first column, line 42, for "absorbend" read absorbent; second column, line 42, claim 1, before "face" insert inner; and line 50, claim 2, after "opening" insert a comma; page 2, first column, line 45, claim 6, for "packet" read pocket; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this llth day of February, A. D. 1936.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

